Stout second-half defending, coupled with some inconsistent play by their San Juan Secondary Comprehen-sive opponents, handed St Augustine Secondary Comprehensive a pass to the 2005 RBTT InterCol national final by virtue of a 1-0 victory yesterday at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
The "Green Machine" proved to be San Juan's kryptonite this year, sinking them three successive times after a 6-1 thrashing by their East Zone rivals early in the season.
Daniel Joseph's 36th minute strike was the difference between the teams, but San Juan, who battled hard for the equaliser in the second half, could feel unlucky to be on the losing end.
The tussle for the midfield produced a scrappy affair for most of the first half and although both sides had chances, it was apparent that the goalkeeping would be the deciding factor in the encounter. And, indeed, it was. After absorbing some pressure from San Juan, 'Gustine' got the go-ahead goal, when Glenroy Samuel failed to hold the ball after two initial attempts. A desperate grab put the ball in the path of Joseph, who could not miss from the edge of the six-metre area.
In the second period, St Augustine showed they were prepared to defend their position to get the precious final berth.
San Juan, on the attack, were thwarted in the 57th, as Johnathan Romain's header was well claimed by Green Machine custodian Jonathan Charles.
Then Romain put the ball wide after Charles fumbled in the area in the 66th. And a few minutes later, Anthony's Guppy's free kick for San Juan across the 'Gustine' goal was missed by all and sundry.
In the 74th, hard-working San Juan skipper Elijah Manners' powerful shot on the right hit the upright and was scrambled wide.
A fighting Guppy had another effort in the 86th minute, but was forced wide by some solid St Augustine defending.
Despite all that was at stake in the match, it was not overly physical, with the only booking coming in stoppage time, goal-scorer Joseph getting a yellow card for an unnecessary tackle in midfield.
But St Augustine did enough to claim a place opposite the winner of today's second semi-final between North Zone Intercol champs Fatima College and South kings Naparima College.
The match kicks off from 4.15 at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella.
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